Red, Windmills, Two Ford Trucks and a Pup Named Jack, Led VICTORY Houston to a $1.8 Million “Night in Moulin Rouge”

Red, Windmills, Two Ford Trucks and a Pup Named Jack, Led VICTORY Houston to a $1.8 Million “Night in Moulin Rouge”

Windmills, miles of red fabric, crystal chandeliers, feathers, two Ford trucks and a pup named “Jack” traveled from the heart of Paris’ entertainment district to 713 Music Hall to lend their “joie” to the 700 happy people at the annual VICTORY Houston “A Night in Moulin Rouge” Gala presented by Sonic Automotive. Celebrating the more than $1.8 million raised for Houston area cancer research were chairs Cissy Abel and Hallie Vanderhider.

The décor talents of Let It Fly Events set the evening’s sultry and scarlet tone, with a rousing design reminiscent of the renowned French nightclub. Cotton Culinary created a delectable cuisine featuring a grazing station of curated cheeses, vegetables, nuts, sausage, and fruits, a beef tenderloin carving station, short rib tacos, roasted corn, tamales, gourmet mac and cheese, and loaded mashed potatoes.

The festivities continued with a fabulous silent auction, a glitter bar, tequila tastings, and casino games of craps, blackjack and slots. Tenenbaum Jewelers donated a $5,000 gift card to the winner as the last person standing in a competitive game of “heads or tails.”

The acrobatic auctioneer Johnny “Bravo” Holloway lept to the stage to begin the live auction of many highly sought-after items, including a private dinner with Nobel Laureate Dr. James P. Allison, a VIP experience at a live taping of Dancing with the Stars, a 19-carat London blue topaz necklace from Diamonds Direct (won by Becky Edmondson), an exclusive reception for 100 guests at Steak 48 (won by Jody Merritt), two 2025 Ford F-150 King Ranch trucks provided by Sonic Automotive and a 9-week-old Labrador Retriever puppy (won by Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees). The auction item also included a tailored obedience package courtesy of DogLab TX. Upon winning, she and Bobby quickly named the new canine member of their family “Jack!”

Famed retired weatherman Frank Billingsley once again served as emcee and guided guests through the evening’s exciting program. Q The Band kept things lively throughout the night with memorable songs and a packed dance floor.

Over the last 39 years, ladies of VICTORY have raised more than $67.8 million to help fight cancer, supporting the patients of today while also minimizing the cancer diagnosis of tomorrow.

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):  Cyvia Wolff, Jo Ann Petersen and Mike Taylor, VICTORY president Diane Watson Cain, Lisa and Joel Bender, Susan Plank, Porsche River Oaks General Manager Rob Dale, Porsche River Oaks Vice President Maria Moncada-Alaoui, Jackie and Monty Eubank, Dr. Michael Taylor, Lisa and Sean McCoy, Bebe and John Falik, Joni and John Ballis, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Elaine Finger, Betty and Jess Tutor, Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Sandra Burgess, Miriam Overton and Dr. Sujith Joseph, Tammy and Kim Norman, Davis Hance and Kittsie Klaes, Khynnedi Wright, Jim Jordan and Shawn Stephens, Danny Rolph, Denise Monteleone, Kevin Gilliard